The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg
"Penny is sick of boys and sick of dating, so she vows: No more. She’s had one too many bad dates, and has been hurt by one too many bad boys. It’s a personal choice…and soon everybody wants to know about it. It seems that Penny’s not the only girl who’s tired of the way girls change themselves (most of the time for the worse) in order to get their guys…or the way their guys don’t really care about them.
Girls are soon thronging to The Lonely Hearts Club (named after Sgt. Pepper’s band), and Penny finds herself near legendary for her non-dating ways – which is too bad, since the leader of The Lonely Hearts Club has found a certain boy she can’t help but like…"- summary from author website
I went through this book so quickly, I amazed myself, especially since I've been working late this week. I absolutely adored this book and would probably put it on a Best of '09 Books list if I were making such a list. I loved the emphasis put on friendships between girls, which can be lacking in many YA novels, even though many YA novels focus on girls. The concept was very original and I loved how the Lonely Hearts Club went from a lonely one member to a huge club and all that came along with that new-found popularity. Eulberg's characterization is spot-on as well and many of the characters were really well-written and fleshed out. Penny's voice was amazing and I loved how she felt like a real person, flaws and all. The romance was handled very well and it was interesting reading the journey between those two characters. This is such a wonderful, funny, and empowering book for really anybody, though especially girls. But the message of it is for anybody- don't lose sight of yourself or your friends when dating someone, just to make that one person happy; you need to do what's right for you and what makes you happy, not anyone else. So seriously, use your gift cards to buy this book- you won't be disappointed!
FTC: Recieved ARC from publisher. Amazon link is an Associate link; any profits from it go toward funding contests.
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I keep seeing reviews of this one and I'm DYING to read it! I cannot wait until I can get to the bookstore, because everyone says it's amazing. Great review!
ReplyDeleteKhy- OMG IT'S LIKE YOU READ MY MIND!!! I was so hoping you'd see this, lol. I was reading the acknowledgments and DAVID LEVITHAN edited the book!! I of course IMMEDIATELY thought of you and was like "I MUST TELL KHY!"
ReplyDeleteSo now I've told you. You MUST get it somehow. Get to the bookstore SOOOOON!!!
I KNEW THIS BUT SOMEHOW FORGOT AND YOU HAVE REMINDED ME! I NEED IT NOW! If it has been touched by David it is almost guaranteed to be awesome.
ReplyDelete(I'm sure it would be awesome without his touch too though x])
I want to read this book so much! I have already informed Khy that if she buys this book, I am borrowing it. Not only am I a Beatles fan, but I am also a major fan of David Levithan and anything he writes/edits (though I have not read The Hunger Games).
ReplyDeleteWhen I get money (which may be awhile), I am soo buying this book! Great review!
I just bought this it arrived yesterday and I'm going to bump it to the top of my TBR list now, after that fabulous review!
ReplyDeleteI've been looking all over for this!
ReplyDeleteThanks.